In an unprecedented move that’s bulldozing decades of tradition, ‘Brick & Bro’s Construction’ in Newcastle has replaced its reception desk’s long-standing decoration – a series of young, female receptionists – with Alex, a trans individual, thus rewriting the rules of engagement in the construction industry’s front office.
For 20 years, the company’s reception area had been the exclusive domain of a succession of charming young women, with Katie, the most recent occupant, leaving her post due to pregnancy. Her departure marked the end of an era where the morning ritual for the ‘boys’ included not just clocking in but also delivering the day’s first dose of ‘unpolitically correct’ comments, which, until recently, seemed as much a part of the company’s foundation as its concrete mix.
The owner, Gary Stone, remarked, “Yeah, we support diversity and all that, but honestly, we just hired the best person for the job this time. Someone who could hit the ground running, had experience, and enthusiasm to learn. Alex is also great with technology and is currently studying project management at uni, so they were a great fit.” This statement, a monumental testament to the company’s pivot towards inclusivity, comes amid a cultural shift that’s slowly dismantling the old boys’ club, brick by outdated brick.
However, not all transitions have been smooth. Some of the ‘boys’ have expressed confusion, a sentiment amplified by their devotion to podcasts, including those of Jordan Peterson, which have left them wrestling with the modern complexities of gender and workplace dynamics. The lunchroom, once a haven for locker-room banter, now hosts hushed debates over soy milk and the meaning of ‘equality’.
In a symbolic gesture of compromise, the company agreed to keep one of the less risqué calendars, now relegated to the most obscure corner of the lunchroom, as a nod to the past. Alex, displaying a spirit of accommodation and perhaps a keen sense of interior design, has navigated these changes with grace, even as they become the unwitting protagonist in the company’s saga of progress.
As ‘Brick & Bro’s Construction’ stands at the crossroads of tradition and diversity, it faces the challenge of redefining its identity. The departure of Katie and the arrival of Alex isn’t just a change of guard at the reception desk; it’s a mirror reflecting the evolving landscape of the construction industry and society at large.
The company’s initiative has been met with mixed reviews, ranging from applause for embracing diversity to nostalgia for a simpler, albeit less inclusive, time. As the dust settles on this transformative period, one thing is clear: ‘Brick & Bro’s Construction’ has laid the foundation for a new era, one where the strength of the structure depends not on the uniformity of its bricks but on the diversity of its mortar.
In the end, the company’s bold move may just cement its legacy as a pioneer in the industry, proving that even the most traditional fields can build a more inclusive future. And as for the ‘boys’? They’re learning that change, much like construction, is a process—one that requires time, patience, and occasionally, a new blueprint.
Thanks John – It’s great to see you giving Bricks & Bros the recognition we deserve. Your support is a strong as a rolled steel joist and as heartfelt as a morning bacon sandwich. Sadly Alex has left us for a Head of DEI role at Big John’s Plumbing but we wear their gender neutral hi-viz vests with pride. We believe in high visibility for diverse individuals in the workplace as much as high visibility for safety on the construction site. Did, er, Katie talk to you for this article? And on a completely unrelated topic, do you know any good lawyers with experience defending sexual harassment claims? Now if you’ll excuse me, I have 6000 Pride cupcakes to distribute to the lads.